Information for participants arriving to Prague

CHISA 2008 Congress venue:

The CHISA 2008 Congress will take place in the building of the Czech Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture (in Czech: ČVUT - Fakulta stavebního inženýrství a architektury), address: 166 29 Praha 6 – Dejvice, at crossing of Technická and Thákurova Streets. The venue can be reached by Metro line A to station Dejvická (underground railway) and then by walk through Šolínova and Technická streets (10 min.) (see Congress Map).

The Congress Opening Ceremony will take place in the Ceremonial Halls of Rudolfinum, Metro station Staroměstská, line A, on Sunday at 20h. Admission is only on invitation cards enclosed among Congress materials received upon registration. Those arriving late on Sunday evening and unable to register in time will be asked to present their business cards.

Registration in Congress Office at the Congress Centre

Opening hours: Saturday 23 August, 14-19 h Sunday 24 August 10-19 h., Monday through Thursday 8-17 h. All additional payments of Congress fees, services and accommodation ordered through the CHISA 2008 Accommodation Service, should be paid only in the Congress Office. In Hotels/Hostels, please pay only extra services (extra meals, telephones, parking etc.).
Currency: The currency in the Czech Republic is the Czech Crown (Kč = CZK). Exchange rate depends on exchange office and current exchange rate. Contemporary exchange rates are: 1 EUR = 24 CZK, 1 USD = 15 CZK. In shops, foreign currency is not generally accepted, however, there are numerous exchange offices all over town.
Arrival: At the Hotels/Hostels, lists of persons accommodated by the CHISA 2008 Accommodation Service will be available at the Reception. Please just give your name and you will be accommodated (do not make any accommodation payments at the Hotel/Hostel). In case you do not have enough time on Sunday 24 August to register, go directly to the Congress Opening Ceremony. You can register during Monday.
Service at the airport: Please note that at the airport there are 2 arrival halls (for Non-Schengen countries - Terminal 1; for Schengen countries - Terminal 2). There will be a CHISA Congress stand on 23 and 24 August at both terminals where you can meet our representative who will give you information on transport to your Hotel/Hostel or to the Congress Centre. They can also help you with hiring a taxi or obtaining a bus ticket (in stand designated „INFO DP“, open daily 7 – 22 h)

Transport from airport:

Public bus No. 119 119 to Metro station Dejvická (22 min, 12 km, operates from 5 - 24 h. daily). Time interval is 10 min. Go to the bus station close to terminal exits. Price for bus ticket is 26 CZK in ticket machines, but 30 CZK if bought from driver. Bus tickets can be bought also in newspaper stand at Airport Arrival Hall. Unfortunately neither public bus nor microbus stops at Hotel Krystal, which is on the way to Dejvická, 7 km from airport. The cheapest way to Hotel Krystal is to go to Dejvická by bus No. 119 and back by tram No. 8 or 36 to the tram station Nad Džbánem.
Airport microbus CEDAZ service (white microbuses, with 8 seats or 12 seats). During day time, microbuses depart every half an hour to Dejvická, price of 8 seat bus 90 CZK/person, operates 6-21 h.
Airport taxi service: AAA yellow taxis, English speaking operators. The basic price is 28 CZK. AAA taxis can be ordered at tel. nos.: (00420)14014 or (00420) 222333222 or mobile nos.: (00420) 602331133 or (00420) 603331133 or (00420) 777331133. Taxi AAA from airport to Congress site and most hotels and hostels costs about 400 CZK. To Hotel Krystal 300 CZK. When in town we also recommend using AAA which provides a reliable service. They will usually arrive in 10 min at no extra charge. Service at hotel/hostel reception can order taxi.
Airport Express bus to Metro station Dejvická (operates from 5 - 22 h. daily). Time interval is 30 min. and the price for the bus ticket is 30 CZK. Tickets are sold only by the bus driver.

Public transport system:

3 Underground - Metro lines A, B and C, trams and busses. The journey to the city centre from Metro station Dejvická to Metro station Můstek (Václavské náměstí) takes about 6 min. Price of tickets to public transport system 26 CZK. Tickets can be purchased at the airport or at all Metro stations at ticket vendors. The prices of tickets are: 20 - 30 min 18 CZK, basic 75 min 26 CZK, one day 24h 100 CZK, 3 day 72 h 330 CZK, 5 day 120 h 500 CZK.

Car parking:

Recommended guarded Underground car parking in Studentská street, Praha 6 - close to the Congress venue, (tel: (+420) 224324636), 25 CZK/h or long-term parking from 920 CZK/3days.
Hotel Diplomat: guarded underground car park.
Hotel Zlatá Praha: free car park in courtyard.
Hotel Krystal: underground car park.
The Masarykova Hostel: unguarded parking in front of Hostels is not recommended. However, please note, that the Guarded underground car parking in Studentská street is very close to Masarykova Hostel.

Transport from Hotels/Hostels to Metro station Dejvická (and then 10 min walk to the Congress site).
Krystal Hotel: 15 min by tram No. 8 or 36
Hotel Pyramida: (station Malovanka) tram 36, 10 min. or by bus No. 149 or 217.
Hostel Strahov (station Koleje Strahov): 15 min by bus No. 149 or 217.

Transfer directly to Congress site:

Diplomat Hotel: 5-10 min walk.
Masaryk Hostel: 3 min walk.
Hotel Zlatá Praha: 3 min by bus No. 131 (3 bus stops) to station "Santinka" and 7 min walk to the Congress site.
Hostel Orlík: 5 min. walk

To Congress Centre from railway stations:

Main Railway Station and Railway station Praha Holešovice: Both railway stations are on Metro line C. Take train in direction Háje, change at station Muzeum to line A and go to terminal station Dejvická.

Insurance:

Participants are advised to arrange health and travel insurance and whatever insurance they consider necessary prior to departure. The Congress registration fees do not include provision of insurance. The Organisers do not assume responsibility or liability for personal accidents and loss or damage to belongings caused.

Beware of thieves and pickpockets! When travelling in Prague just as in other big capitals, take great care of your belongings. Don't leave baggage unattended, in crowded transport systems beware of pickpockets.

Weather:

At the end of August mild summer temperatures can be expected (20 to 30 degrees C), however, occasional rainy showers and cooler weather are possible.
(Information given without responsibility).